Walk the Beautiful Jewish Quarter of Prague and Hear about the Lives of Its Most Prominent Representatives
Quick Details
Amidst the tumult of World War II, Prague stands as a remarkable exception—the sole European city where Jewish heritage remained unscathed. This singular resilience has gifted us an array of impeccably preserved sites and monuments, rendering Prague’s Jewish Town a truly peerless treasure. Embark with us on a journey through the alluring Fifth Quarter of Prague, where every cobbled street whispers stories of yore. Delve into the enthralling history of the Jewish community, its echoes resonating through time, as we share poignant narratives of its most luminous figures.
The first Jews arrived in Prague already back in the 10th century and the development of the Jewish community played an essential role in the evolution of the city as a whole. Their lives and hardships are forever part of our history as a nation.
On this tour, we’ll take you to four different synagogues, each of them very original in style, and the Old Jewish Cemetery, the oldest one in the world! With the exception of the Old-New Synagogue, all the sites are part of Prague’s Jewish Museum, the most visited museum in the Czech Republic.
Besides housing thousands of precious items of Jewish origin, the Maisel Synagogue is also home to Langweil’s Model of Prague, an absolutely uncommon exhibit that will take you back in time and right into the streets of the Jewish Quarter before its complete reconstruction.
The Spanish Synagogue might be the youngest one in Prague but its original interior is truly unequaled in beauty and style. Somewhat more modest in appearance, the Pinkas Synagogue hosts a touching memorial to the Jewish lives lost during the holocaust.
Built in the 15th century, the Jewish Cemetery of Prague is the oldest and best preserved in the world. What makes it even more special is the fact that it’s 2.5 meters higher than the surrounding streets. Why? Because there are at least 10 layers of dead buried under the surface! In addition, the tombstones are covered with Jewish symbolism – can you guess what it stands for?
And finally, the Old-New Synagogue is not only impressively old and well-preserved but also shrouded in myth and mystery. Did you know that Golem, the legendary being in Jewish folklore, was allegedly put to rest right in its attic? Maybe he’s still around…
Yes, there’ll be lots of drama on the tour as well! Have your napkin ready as these stories will bring you to tears. For centuries the Jewish community was draped in prejudice and envy resulting in the tragic events of the Holocaust. And yet, some of the most distinguished, educated, and inspiring people have been members of this historically slighted community.
Let’s hear the touching and surprisingly intertwined stories of its famous representatives, including the American diplomat Madeleine Albright, the Austrian artist Friedl Brandeis, or the British humanitarian Sir Nicholas Winton, who has on his account the rescue of almost 700 Jewish children from former Czechoslovakia.
Behind the sad history of Jews in Europe lies the undeniable string of hope and legacy for the future that makes these stories worth reliving. The so-called “Stumbling Stones” of Prague, which we’ll also observe on this tour, are a living monument to the Jewish community and a reminder that as long as we remember these people, they’ll keep on living in our hearts.
You could probably eat a horse after all that walking! We’ve got you covered, just let us know and we’ll take you for a traditional Czech lunch at our favourite restaurant in the area. The price is 35 EUR per person.
If you love history, architecture, and exploring new places along with locals, this Prague Jewish Quarter tour is for you!
The tour includes a knowledgeable and friendly guide who will take you through the historic Jewish Quarter, sharing stories and insights about the landmarks and attractions related to Jewish history in Prague. We’ll also treat you to a refreshment of your choice at a local café.
Admission to the Jewish Museum and the Old-New Synagogue is NOT included in the tour price. But no worries, you can add it to your booking or we’ll help you get the tickets at the box office before the tour starts. It is around 23 EUR for adults and 17 EUR for kids – you can pay in cash or by card.
The tour will take you through the historic Jewish Quarter, where you’ll see some of the most important landmarks and attractions related to Jewish history in Prague. We’ll visit the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Jewish Museum, and several synagogues, including the famous Old-New Synagogue.
If you’re up for a leisurely stroll on some slightly uneven and cobblestone streets, then you’re good to go. Just be prepared to take around 5K steps throughout the tour. But hey, if you need a little extra love and care, don’t worry, this private tour can be tailored to your needs. We’re even happy to help you snag a ride from place to place via car or Uber/Bolt. So go ahead, and let us know how we can make this tour a smooth and enjoyable ride for you.
Comfort is key on our tours, so we recommend wearing shoes that can handle Prague’s famous cobblestones and dressing for the weather. Just remember that the Jewish Quarter consists of many beautiful religious sites, so be respectful and wear clothing that covers your knees and shoulders. If you have your own kippah it will come in handy, but no worries if you don’t, you can always borrow one in the Synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery free of charge.
All this walking will surely make you hungry… Let’s go for a traditional Czech lunch in our favourite restaurant in the area! Let us know or book your lunch here.
Don’t worry, we won’t let a little rain dampen our spirits! Just make sure to check the weather forecast and come prepared with an umbrella.
Absolutely! The tour is suitable for children of all ages, and we welcome families with kids. However, please note that the tour does involve a fair amount of walking, so a stroller might come in handy for the younger ones. Additionally, some of the sites we’ll be visiting may contain sensitive material, so parents should use their discretion when deciding if the tour is appropriate for their children. Don’t forget to give us a heads-up so that we can plan accordingly!
Tipping is not obligatory, but it is always much appreciated and welcome. In general, you can aim at 10%, but only if you’re happy with the services you received.
Private tours take a certain amount of planning so it’s best not to cancel last minute. If it’s more than 21 days in advance, you’ll get a full refund, less than that is 50%. We can’t offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of the tour.
Choose what time you want to start, where you want to be picked up, and what you want to focus on. Enjoy all the perks of having the guide just for yourself.
Check out our Local Guide to Prague and tour the city like a pro!
The tour is life changing if you want to get a true perspective of Jewish life in Czech Republic before WWII. The memorial at the Spanish Synagogue is also an experience that everyone should be witness to. Michaela is beyond knowledgable and was able to make my tour one that I will never forget.
– Airbnb, Nov 2022This Jewish Heritage walking tour was amazing. So powerful & I cannot recommend it enough! Our guide Nikola did a fantastic job tailoring the tour for our family which included our two kids (ages 7 & 11). All of us really saw this tour as the highlight to our wonderful weekend in Prague.
– Google, Nov 2022We (my wife and I) did the Prague City Adventures walking tour of the Jewish Quarter with Pavla and had a wonderful experience. Pavla was exceptionally knowledgeable of the Jewish history and showed us the best locations to visit. Additionally, she followed up with an information email providing links to additional resources based upon topics we experienced on the tour. We also purchased the lunch package which initially I thought was a bit pricey, but was well worth it considering the cost covered the lunch and also provided a relaxed forum where Pavla could share some additional recommendations for further sight seeing on our own.
– TripAdvisor, Oct 2022This was on of those tours and experiences that will stay with me for a long time. Our guide Tereza took us on a journey through time with her excellent storytelling. History tours are usually very dry with a lot of facts and dates, this tour was not one of those. The history was told through anecdotes, stories, examples, and conversations. 3 hours went by very quickly. It was an emotional and beautiful experience.
– Airbnb, Sep 2022A walk with Katerina through the historical realities of the Jewish town is really worth it. She introduced us to several synagogues and their interiors, as well as to many objects of everyday life, the significance of which I had not known anything about until now. Even though I had already visited some objects before on my own, it was only now with such an informed guide that I really got the right experience. Big thanks.
– TripAdvisor, Jul 2022This was such a fascinating experience, that left me wanting to know more and to read more on the subject. Nikola was a master at story telling and engaged us all even though we were a very diverse group from different countries and spanning old and young alike. The stories come within an emotional context which Nikola told with empathy and undestanding. Thanks to Prague City Adventures!!
– TripAdvisor, May 2022This was an amazing experience in the Jewish Quarter with Nikola and Prague City Adventures. The sites we visited on the tour were absolutely incredible, and Nikola really brought the history and culture to life with telling stories and providing valuable context. It was a moving and emotional experience, and truly memorable.
– TripAdvisor, May 2022We absolutely loved our tour around the Jewish Town in Prague with Prague City Adventures. Time literally stopped for us during the tour and we traveled back to the Medieval times. In the Synagogues, we heard the stories of extraordinary people, learned about their traditions and thanks to the fantastic Museum exhibition we even looked into their houses. Our guide walked us through the Jewish Cemetery full of symbols and messages. We were saddened by the walls of the Pinkas Synagogue commemorating all the people murdered during the Holocaust. And the end, we were stunned by the gorgeous interior of the Spanish Synagogue, full of silence and peace. Thank you so much to our guide Katerina, who was both knowledgeable and fun as appropriate and helped us learn about past so that we could understand the present. Thank you. Highly recommended!
– TripAdvisor, May 2022Looking for a way to see all the main historic sites of Prague in one day? This tour will guide you through the picturesque streets of the historical centre all the way up to Prague Castle.
History lovers alert! We bet Prague Castle is on your Prague must-see list. Let’s walk together through a lesser-known entrance to the complex and explore the most magnificent site in our country. You’ll love the architecture and the splendid views from its gardens.
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